Jim Fredrick climbs Rock

Castle Rock Pictures Inc. said Thursday that Jim Fredrick has been named president of marketing, bumping him up from head of advertising.

Fredrick will continue to create and oversee Castle Rock production of theatrical trailers, television and radio spots, print campaigns and all other marketing efforts for all Castle Rock features.

His promotion reflects the continued expansion of Castle Rock since its acquisition by Turner Entertainment. The company plans to steadily ramp up production from its current yield of five features to 12 movies by 1997, when its output agreement with Columbia expires and the company becomes a free-standing distribution company.

“As we build up and have more production, obviously there will be an increased burden on (Fredrick), and we’ll expand the department around him as necessary,” he said. “But we still expect to keep it rather lean as compare to the majors.”

Fredrick has been with Castle Rock since 1991. He was previously executive veepee at international advertising boutique Frankfurt Gips Balkind, where he launched the company’s trailer and television commercial operations.

Early in his career, Fredrick was senior producer at Intralink, working on such trailers as “City Slickers,””Misery,””Thelma & Louise,””The Last Temptation of Christ” and “Flatliners.”

Shafer pointed up that Fredrick’s experience as a trailer cutter translates to savings in the Castle Rock gig. He said Fredrick continues to cut trailers, which are used 85% of the time.

Shafer estimated that Castle Rock saves up to $ 1 million annually from Fredrick’s work, but when asked whether the cash is added to Fredrick’s paycheck , he quipped “well, not exactly, but he does well.”